get lost

I would be lying if I said that everything was super cool, at least not always. Though, I'd say I know I have so much to be happy for, there's just a lot of catching up I've been needing to do.. with myself.

Canmore, Alberta

Sometimes, a disconnect from the world is the only solution; and a trip to the mountains was most definitely the best thing I could have done to clear my mind. The moment we arrived, it was like the world disappeared, yet, it made the grandest entrance.

Moraine Lake. Banff, Alberta

To breathe the fresh air, to see how insignificant we are, in the presence of so much beauty; unreal. Seriously, I didn't want to blink, incase I missed something. The colors, the textures, the sounds, the smells, the incredible silences... I would have believed it if someone said I was dreaming.

Canmore, Alberta

Fall is the season of change, and so much has changed even in the last couple of months. I've gotten to know myself at such a very different level, I never anticipated it. I have much to be proud of, much to look forward to, and still so much to learn. I know that the only thing I can do to keep up with it, is to face it. Climb on!  I'm doing my best not to litter this post with terrible mountain climbing journey metaphors. 

Moraine Lake. Banff, Alberta

Facing my fears is a big thing. It's a transition. I know I have much to offer and a great deal to prove to myself. I am learning about self love, humility, and acceptance. It's okay to have moments of weakness and even moments of failure. How else are we supposed to learn? Perspective is an interesting thing. I'm totally human.

(Foggy) Lake Louise. Banff, Alberta

What this escape taught me, is that my problems/conflict are not nearly the size of mountains. What's that thing they say about molehills? I feel like all of those things that were fogging my mind, suddenly cleared up and made sense, or simply disappeared. I also realized that how we feel, is easily based off of our own choices.

I know for certain that I'll be thinking about this weekend for quite some time; for the sake of reminding myself that there is always an escape when it is needed. Sometimes, it's just nice to get away, explore, and get lost in your thoughts. I recommend it. Go.. get lost...

You might just find yourself again.

now what?

So, what do I do now? Ha. I have no idea, but I know that it's not as easy as handing in a resume with a fancy cover letter that starts with 'Dear Sir/Madam Disney.." I have a very big project to execute, which I've decided will come in the form of an animation/presentation. Maybe similar to the cute closing credits of a Pixar movie, with a story. I'll try out there too, while I'm at it. Why not, right?

It's going to take a lot of work, but that's sort of the plan. I figure it will also keep me busy during the days when we're not so comfortably able to go outside. Winter is coming. This will definitely help me get through it. It's helping me get through a variety of things, to be honest. Life changes... so rapidly. I'm adjusting, still.

My goal is set to send this out, in the new year. I just want to see how I can shape my 2015; even if it doesn't get me in with the mouse. I can try anywhere and see what happens. My current mantra is, you have nothing to lose.

This project sort of comes hand in hand with my topic of how to stay creative. I know that for my own creative stamina, I need a personal challenge to keep me going. I think that's what makes it so exciting. Creatives need personal projects in order to grow. I encourage it, to see where it takes you. Make time for yourself.

I'm not focusing on much other than the first few steps. I have anticipatory anxiety, so absolutely, I've thought ahead at the possibilities. The failure, the rejection, the conflict, the amount of time and effort this is going to take. Those are natural thoughts, but they're not constructive. This is something that I've hung on to for years. I figure I'm going to benefit from this, no matter the outcome.

I'm kind of nervous about sharing the process, but it's also a way to get this out in the open. I sort of need to see this in front of me, to acknowledge that it is real. This is it. I'm proving myself I can do something, if I just simply believe in it.

You have nothing to lose. 

the leap

I decided to write it out, before I wrote it out. Word for word, this is what I put on paper. For some reason I wrote my lines in this fashion. Like a poem. (It's not a poem).

This is like standing on the edge of a high dive. 
It took a lot to get myself to even decide to write it down
I figured that writing it down
would make me take it more seriously

It has taken me a very long time to consider my dreams. 
I know I have them. I just never took them seriously. 

I thought it was unbelievable, impossible.. or silly. 

I decided to think about my dreams, and consider what I've heard from all around me. You can do it. 

It's not that I didn't believe or value these words. I didn't know how to listen to myself. You can do it. 

The worst that can happen? I don't try. Why not? WHY NOT? :) 

Here you go. No turning back . .  . 

I'm trying out for Disney, because fuck it. 

copy that

My most popular question: How do you stay so creative? 

I feel like there are many parts to this question, so I'm going to do my best to be more consistent with my posts, and keep them short and simple, to avoid an ultra detailed response. I've written some things out in point form, which I'm going to expand on as I go. I'm hoping that with this process, it'll become somewhat motivating and not so much overwhelming to those who want to encourage their creative side with me. Not every one of my tips is going to work for everyone, they're just suggestions based off of personal experience.

Picasso once said, Good artists copy, great artists steal. 

I'm going to start where I started off, and that was by copying things. While I was also very much about drawing in my own fashion, to fiddle with mindless abstraction, I felt that copying things helped me understand my tools and method(s) of approach. It also helped me learn how to adjust to different styles, and figure out how to get my shapes right when I wanted things to look a certain way. I still use visual reference as a guide, as I enjoy drawing my favorite childhood cartoon characters; but my goal is to also make it my own.

Important note: While I say that copying is the way to learn, be aware that these are creations by other people/artists and shouldn't be passed off as your own. When you start to make your own thing, without relying so much on making things exact to its original, then it becomes your own unique style. Copying things exactly is just an exercise, to eventually grow comfortable with your own method of self expression. It worked for me, but it may not work for everyone. It's merely just a suggestion to getting into the swing of things.

Give it a shot and see what you come up with. It may lead to even bigger ideas.